Sue's Journal

Ginny Turner  Welcome home, Sue, and hooray for Tylenol! You did it and are on the road to recovery. So happy for you!

Randy Chapman  Welcome home Sue! You are just three weeks behind me with Dr. G at Cleveland. I just returned from a 3300 step walk and feeling better every day. You will too!

Sandy Harvey  Some of meds have side effects that are not pleasant. I stopped some of mine as soon as I realized the impact it was having on me. Tylenol is a good substitute. Good luck with recovery. You will do great.

Timothy Andre  Welcome home Sue!! I'm happy you are doing well and on the road to recovery. What a crazy journey is right. One day at a time. Sending you prayers and a smooth transition home.

Patsy Stewart  Welcome home, Sue! So glad you got over those speed bumps. Sending you a big hug from my rocking chair!🙃🙂~❤️

George Gardopee  Sue - I know well the anxiety you are sometimes feeling. I can only say that I wish I had known how easy the surgery and the recovery was going to be, at least relative to what I had imagined.  I believe you are going to the best place in the world for surgery with their best surgeon.  Everyone on this site was right about the wait being the worst part. For myself, within a very short time it was like it never happened.  They will take very good care of you at the CC.  Don’t worry about the discomfort after surgery - they will make sure it is kept at a very low level.  Good luck!

Marie Myers  Yes,  seeing your name and picture on the “Upcoming Surgery” list makes it all strangely real. I used yoga and meditation to help keep some sense of calm. Listening to calming meditations and videos on UTube helped a lot.  I did ask for alprazolam to help with sleep when I needed it. Knowing what I know now, I do wish I hadn’t worried as much as I did. Best wishes for a smooth journey through surgery and recovery!

Sue Starr  Thank you George!  I remember reading your entire journal post here about your experience a few months ago and thinking that it didn’t seem that bad.  Our brains are not our friends sometimes though.  I believe I have the best team as well and I’m so lucky to live so close!! I can’t wait to report that it’s over and I’m good to go!! 

Sue Starr  Thank you Marie!!  I have Atarax to help me sleep and that’s been great.  I’ve been doing yoga, walking and I have a meditation app that I need to explore more.  That is on my list!! 

Ginny Turner  Sue, I'm so glad to see your picture on the right side of my computer screen! As we've discussed, now that your long wait is almost over and the wheels are in motion, you'll be joining the recovery club soon. I have EVERY confidence that you will do well. You're in excellent hands and we're all cheering you on! You've got this!

Todd Hanson  Sue- I am 3 weeks post op-- I also had severe regurgitation and prolapse of my mitral valve. I was given the decision to wait and monitor (which would eventually lead to further issues down the road) or have it done. I decided to have it done on my time frame-- a mini thoracotomy. I am not sure if I have been lucky on my recovery or not, but It really was a piece of cake. I released from the hospital in 3 days, working part time a couple of days in week 2, 30 hours a week in week 3 with my first follow up with my surgeon tomorrow--quite excited to see him. I really had zero anxiety leading up to it (probably due to my checklist list I needed to complete before surgery) but it wasn't until I was at the hospital room hours before by surgery is when my anxiety started, seeing my name on the surgery board. Like everyone here says, the worst is waiting for the surgery-- once you hit that day, the next time you wake up, it is done, and you are on the road to recovery. You got this, best of luck to you! Always here to discuss further before or after April 4.

Randy Chapman  You made the right choice and are fortunate to be in the Cleveland area. Dr. Gillinov did my mitral valve surgery and Maze two weeks ago. I walked a mile today and I feel so much better. You too will look forward to seeing this event in your rear view mirror.